Lawmakers make skiing, snowboarding Utah's official winter sports

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The Legislature agreed Thursday to make skiing and snowboarding Utah's official winter sports.

Colorado inspired the move after adopting a similar designation for skiing in 2008.

Supporters noted that skiing is a vital part of Utah's winter economy, generating 4.2 million skier days last year and creating 20,000 jobs.

HB201 passed the House and Senate unanimously and is headed to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature.

Skiing and snowboarding are the latest official state designations, which include the Allosaurus as the state fossil, coal as the state rock, the elk as the state animal and the Browning M1911 as the official gun.